Guarantor, online system, enforcement raise concerns
Concerns over Nagaland’s Inner Line Permit (ILP) system have intensified, with officials, student unions, and community leaders highlighting persistent gaps in regulation, enforcement, and public participation.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem has urged public to view the Inner Line Permit (ILP) issue in Nagaland as a social concern requiring collective responsibility, rather than leaving it solely to administrative enforcement.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, Buchem outlined the complexities surrounding migrant workers and the challenges posed by the current ILP system.
He explained that migrant workers in the state fall broadly into two categories: daily wage earners such as labourers and construction workers, who arrive temporarily and often avoid ILP documentation, and business operators who intend to stay longer and establish enterprises.
Buchem acknowledged difficulties with the online ILP system, noting that technical glitches and lengthy procedures have prevented many workers from obtaining permits. He said fear of legal action, prompted some migrant workers to leave the state, which has affected mega projects and construction activities.
Explaining the registration process, Buchem said completing one online ILP application can take up to 30 minutes because of multiple OTP verifications involving guarantors. Poor internet connectivity often forces applicants to restart the process, limiting the disposal rate to around 20 cases a day.
The DC said local Nagas are not currently filling all available jobs, with many reluctant to take up certain types of work. He argued that if locals stepped forward, reliance on migrant labour would naturally decline.
Buchem further observed that Kohima residents are generally more vigilant, with some colonies enforcing strict norms on outsider settlement. Most ILP defaulters, he added, are individuals who fail to renew valid permits.
To strengthen monitoring, Buchem proposed dedicated ILP check posts and facilitation centres at key entry points such as railway gates in Dimapur and Niuland.
He called for greater public participation, urging communities and tribal bodies to share responsibility and create employment opportunities for Nagas, rather than placing the burden solely on government enforcement.
ASU: The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has expressed alarm over the rising presence of outsiders in Kohima, with president Diezevisie Nakhro claiming the numbers have grown at an alarming rate compared to earlier years. He estimated that around 60 percent of the outsider population belongs to the Muslim community, while 40 percent are from the Hindu community.
Nakhro identified the guarantor system as a major challenge in the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
He alleged frequent misuse of guarantor identity cards, with inspections revealing multiple outsiders using a single guarantor’s ID. Many guarantors, when questioned, reportedly denied knowledge of such misuse.
He also pointed to the growing role of middlemen, claiming that daily wage labourers are being charged Rs.700 to procure an ILP. Of this, Rs.450 goes to the administration, Rs.50 to middlemen, and Rs. 200 to the concerned police station. Nakhro further alleged that some locals lend their identity cards to outsiders for money, while certain house owners shield individuals without valid documents.
Rental concerns were also highlighted, with tenants often vacating houses without informing owners and being replaced by others, complicating regulation. Nakhro said this has made finding rental accommodation increasingly difficult.
He remarked that reluctance among locals to take up certain jobs has enabled non-locals to gain control over parts of the economy. As a corrective measure, he suggested guarantors be physically present during ILP issuance and cautioned outsiders against manipulation of ILP procedures.
NSF: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has renewed its demand for stronger regulation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Nagaland, voicing dissatisfaction over what it described as continued government inaction.
NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the federation has consistently raised the issue before successive governments, submitting several representations that often went unanswered. He recalled that during its 5th federal assembly, the federation resolved to constitute an Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) and later submitted a 10-point memorandum to the state government. Despite pressure from civil society groups, he alleged the government has remained largely a spectator.
At the heart of NSF’s demand is the establishment of an independent commission empowered to regulate the ILP system, frame policies, and ensure effective enforcement across all districts. Heraang also called for changing the nomenclature from “Inner Line Permit” to “Inner Line Pass.” He warned that unchecked external investment could threaten the future of Nagas if outsiders are allowed to capitalize on local land without safeguards.
Heraang further pointed to irregularities in identity verification and questioned the effectiveness of enforcement checks, describing ILP implementation as inconsistent. Clarifying the federation’s position, he said NSF is not against outsiders but insisted that entry into Nagaland must be lawful and properly regulated.
Warning of growing public frustration, Heraang asked what purpose the government serves if it fails to protect the rights of its people? He further called upon responsible public to unite in safeguarding the rights and future of the Nagas.